The Flu Pandemic Flashcards
What was the estimated death toll of the 1918 flu pandemic?
50-100 million individuals
This represented 3-6% of the global population at the time.
How many people were infected during the 1918 flu pandemic?
500 million people (~30% of the population)
This indicates the pandemic’s extensive reach.
In what years did the 1918 flu pandemic occur?
1918-1920
What are the three genera of the Orthomyxoviridae family that infect humans?
- Influenza A
- Influenza B
- Influenza C
What is the significance of haemagglutinin in the influenza virus?
Essential for the infection of vertebrate cells
It binds to sialic acid on cell surfaces and triggers endocytosis.
What was the first identified strain associated with the 1918 flu pandemic?
H1N1 Influenza A
What was the R number (reproduction number) of the second wave of the 1918 flu?
~3
What are the two main mechanisms of evolution for the flu virus?
- Antigenic drift
- Antigenic shift
What caused the significant change in mortality rates during the second wave of the flu pandemic?
The virus had undergone significant mutations
Trench warfare and evacuation policies also contributed.
What was the impact of nutritional deficiencies during the 1918 pandemic?
Weakened immune systems due to lack of energy, vitamins, and essential minerals
What did early theories attribute the cause of the 1918 flu pandemic to?
- Hygiene
- God’s wrath
- Miasma
- Bacteria
What was the first virus to be officially discovered?
Tobacco mosaic virus
What role did quarantine play in historical disease management?
Contained the spread of diseases
Quarantine practices have been used since antiquity.
What is the modern name for Pfeiffer’s bacillus?
Haemophilus influenzae
What is the significance of the electron microscope in virology?
Allowed for the visualization of viruses, confirming their nature
Developed in 1931 and led to breakthroughs in understanding influenza.
What type of virus is influenza categorized as?
RNA virus
Fill in the blank: The flu virus can mutate due to its _______.
high mutation rate
What are the three main responses required to manage and prevent viral disease at the national and international level?
- Prevent spread
- Ensure treatment
- Prevent reoccurrence
True or False: The 1918 flu pandemic was uniformly deadly across all populations.
False
Different populations experienced varying mortality rates.
What was one of the side effects experienced after the 1918 flu pandemic?
Sleeping sickness
What was the first wave of the 1918 flu characterized by?
An unusually virulent flu strain identified in Kansas in January 1918
What is the ‘Carrot & Stick’ approach in quarantine measures?
Carrot: education; Stick: punitive action
What is the relationship between the 2009 pandemic and H1N1?
H1N1 is known to cause swine flu and is descended from the 1918 variant
What is the significance of naming a disease?
Naming a disease helps in identifying, classifying, and communicating about it effectively among healthcare professionals and the public.